FATF Welcomes Barbados, Namibia and Thailand to FSRB Guest Initiative
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has welcomed Barbados, Namibia and Thailand as participants in its FATF-Style Regional Body (FSRB) Guest Initiative, giving the three jurisdictions direct participation in FATF Plenary and Working Group meetings for a one-year Plenary cycle.
According to FATF, their participation will begin with the upcoming October 2026 Plenary. The initiative is designed to broaden the input of jurisdictions represented through FATF-Style Regional Bodies and strengthen cohesion across the FATF Global Network, which covers more than 200 jurisdictions.
FATF said the Guest Initiative focuses particularly on regions where relatively few jurisdictions are FATF members while also participating in their regional bodies as joint members. Guest jurisdictions participate under their own flags and are encouraged to contribute directly to FATF discussions while strengthening engagement within their respective regions.
Three jurisdictions bring regional perspectives
Barbados said it intends to use the initiative to contribute to FATF policy work while representing Caribbean regional issues. Namibia’s Financial Intelligence Centre said participation would support its domestic AML/CFT/CPF framework, deepen cooperation and allow it to contribute Southern African perspectives. Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office said the initiative would provide an opportunity to share practical Asia-Pacific experience and learn from other jurisdictions.
The three countries follow the Cayman Islands, Senegal, Kenya, Jamaica and Nigeria, which have previously participated in the Guest Initiative. FATF launched the initiative in 2024 as part of a broader effort to increase the voice and participation of FSRBs in its work.
FATF also noted that the initiative forms part of wider Global Network reforms. In June 2026, it launched a new Global Strategy Group bringing together FSRB chairs to improve coordination and advise on cross-regional risks and opportunities for cooperation.
For AML/CFT professionals, the move is notable because it gives three additional jurisdictions more direct exposure to FATF standard-setting, typology work and implementation discussions before future national or regional policy changes are translated into domestic requirements.
